WeldWerks Named Best New Brewery!

Rhinegeist, Stoneface, Moody Tongue and Bottle Logic also winners

The number of craft breweries in America hit an all time high in 2015, topping out at over 4,100. USA TODAY 10Best set out to find the best new breweries – breweries that have opened in the past three years – with the help of a panel of beer experts. Then we turned things over to you, and for the past four weeks, readers have been voting daily for their favorites. The results are in!

Green Bench Brewing Co.St. Petersburg, Fla.

St. Petersburg’s first craft brewery, Green Bench was a labor of love for its founders, a pair of St. Pete natives. The 6,000 square-foot facility in the downtown Edge District includes a comfy tasting room with a large observation window that provides views into the brewery. An adjoining beer garden provides ample space for visitors to work their way through the lengthy beer list - from the flagship Green Bench IPA to a Middle Eastern brown ale (made with Yemeni spices, dates and raisins) while catching some rays.Photo courtesy of Green Bench Brewing Co.

Right Proper Brewing CompanyWashington

Right Proper Brewing Company makes beer in two DC neighborhoods: there’s a welcoming brewpub and kitchen in historic Shaw, and a bustling production house and tasting room in Brookland. The neighborhood-minded company has come up with dozens of recipes, running the gamut from classic styles to unique, experimental concoctions. DC-area beer nerds can track down Right Proper’s latest pours at the brewpub, tasting room and at a host of local restaurants and bars.Photo courtesy of Leah Cheston

Bissell BrothersPortland, Maine

The beer scene is booming in Maine’s largest city, and Bissell Brothers stands out from the competition thanks to the brewery’s commitment to challenging the perceptions of what different styles of beers can be. Noah and Peter Bissell took over a space vacated by the Maine Beer Co., and beer lovers patiently wait in line to purchase flagship offerings such as The Substance Ale, an American-style India Pale Ale. Filled with colorful art and lively music, the tasting room invites customers to sample “pilot betas” of what will become the brewery’s next production offerings.Photo courtesy of Bissell Brothers

Creature Comforts Brewing Co.Athens, Ga.

Tracing its roots back to a home brewing setup, Creature Comforts Brewing Co. has some of Georgia’s most accomplished brewers behind it. The brewery is housed in a 3,000 square-foot historic building - originally a Chevrolet dealership - in downtown Athens, Ga. Reclaimed wood was used to create bar tops, tables and ceilings; the handsome tasting room is a comfy spot for sampling a variety of year-round, seasonal and limited-edition releases. Several beers feature local ingredients such as blueberries, peaches and honey.Photo courtesy of Broad Collective

Orpheus BrewingAtlanta

With its focus on sour beers, Orpheus Brewing separates itself from Atlanta’s competitive beer scene. The brewery, which traces its roots back to home brewing, overlooks Piedmont Park and the Beltline. Such is the Orpheus’ commitment to sour beers that it maintains a sour barrel room with open fermenters in which the open air bacteria assists spontaneous fermentations. Beer lovers come for tours and tastings - beyond sours, the brewery producers saisons, barrel-aged brews and more - and there’s a monthly comedy night.Photo courtesy of Orpheus Brewing

Bottle Logic BrewingAnaheim, Calif.

From its humble industrial space off the freeway, Anaheim’s Bottle Logic has burst on to the SoCal beer scene thanks to its state-of-the-art facility and approach to creating experimental brews. Fans flock to the inviting tasting room - which resembles a science laboratory - to sample an ever-changing variety of beers. The brewery separates its offerings into two categories: The Constants and The Variables. Additional visitor components include a dog-friendly outdoor patio and some of Orange County’s top food trucks.Photo courtesy of Bottle Logic Brewing

Moody Tongue Brewing CompanyChicago

Chicago is one of the world’s most forward-looking dining cities, so it stands to figure that the Windy City is home to the “culinary beer” trail blazers at Moody Tongue. Brewmaster Jared Rouben has a culinary background, and many of his self-billed “liquid dishes” are made using culinary techniques such as brewing coffee, steeping tea, baking chocolate, and brandying fruit. Popular varieties include sliced nectarine IPA, caramelized chocolate churro Baltic porter and a steeped lemon saison.Photo courtesy of Moody Tongue Brewing Company

Stoneface Brewing Co.Newington, N.H.

Stoneface Brewing Co. is proud of its New Hampshire roots - the state’s symbolic “Old Man in the Mountain” is hidden within the hop flower on the brewery’s logo. Located just a few miles outside Portsmouth, N.H., Stoneface has had to ramp-up production to meet demand. Some customers stop by the brewery to buy growlers to go, others track down the signature “Hopulization” double IPA and Stoneface Red Rye at select local restaurants and bars.Photo courtesy of Stoneface Brewing Co.

RhinegeistCincinnati

Cincinnati beer hounds head to the historic Over-the-Rhine Brewery District, where Rhinegeist ("Ghost of the Rhine" in German) set up shop the old Moerlein bottling plant. The 25,000 square-foot facility, which dates back to 1895, oozes character, and the lively taproom is frequently packed with festive groups playing ping pong and cornhole while watching big games on TVs. In addition to a wide variety of beers, Rhinegeist also churns out dry ciders made with juices from the Pacific Northwest.Photo courtesy of Rhinegeist

WeldWerks Brewing CompanyGreeley, Colo.

In historic downtown Greeley, WeldWerks has tossed its hat into the crowded Colorado beer scene. Neil Fisher, the man behind WeldWerks, started as an award-winning home brewer, and beer fans come from far and wide to fill the large, neo-industrial space. The taproom offers daily specials ranging from live music and food trucks to discounts for teachers. Offerings run the gamut from a raspberry hefeweizen and a blackberry Berliner to an imperial stout made with chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon and cayenne.Photo courtesy of WeldWerks Brewing Company

It was a close and hard-fought battle for the title between the top two finishers, but in the end, it was WeldWerks Brewing Company out of Greeley, Colo. that came out on top.

Additional nominees for the title of Best New Brewery included Bluejacket in Washington, de Garde Brewing in Tillamook, Fonta Flora Brewery in Morganton, Grimm Artisanal Ales in Brooklyn, Marz Community Brewing Co. in Chicago, Other Half Brewing Company in Brooklyn, The Rare Barrel in Berkeley, Side Project Brewing in St. Louis and Trillium Brewing Company in Boston.

10Best and USA TODAY extend their congratulations to all the winning breweries.

The Experts

Jim Dykstra & Chris Guest

Jim, Editor, has called The Beer Connoisseurhome since September 2014. He received his bachelor's degree in Journalism from Kennesaw State University, and when not writing or copy editing for BC, he divides his time between espousing love, humor and profound empathy by riding the rhythmic waves of wordplay, melody, and Ultimate Frisbee. Post-exercise, he prefers Bell's Best Brown Ale for rehydration, Founders Breakfast Stout for muscle recovery, and is not afraid to wear a denim dress shirt when the need arises.
Chris joined The Beer Connoisseur in December 2014 as an Editorial Assistant. Now an Editor, he has contributed several online-only articles to BeerConnoisseur.com as well as written and copy edited for The Beer Connoisseur® magazine. He is both an astute observer and a voracious consumer of pop culture and is attuned to its vivid history as well. He is passionate about furthering his knowledge of all subjects – though his preferences are music, baseball and craft beer (specifically strong barleywines and hop-heavy IPAs).

Jim Dykstra & Chris Guest

Jim, Editor, has called The Beer Connoisseurhome since September 2014. He received his bachelor's degree in Journalism from Kennesaw State University, and when not writing or copy editing for BC, he divides his time between espousing love, humor and profound empathy by riding the rhythmic waves of wordplay, melody, and Ultimate Frisbee. Post-exercise, he prefers Bell's Best Brown Ale for rehydration, Founders Breakfast Stout for muscle recovery, and is not afraid to wear a denim dress shirt when the need arises.
Chris joined The Beer Connoisseur in December 2014 as an Editorial Assistant. Now an Editor, he has contributed several online-only articles to BeerConnoisseur.com as well as written and copy edited for The Beer Connoisseur® magazine. He is both an astute observer and a voracious consumer of pop culture and is attuned to its vivid history as well. He is passionate about furthering his knowledge of all subjects – though his preferences are music, baseball and craft beer (specifically strong barleywines and hop-heavy IPAs).

Julia Herz

Julia Herz is the Craft Beer Program Director for the Brewers Association, co-author of the free CraftBeer.com Beer & Food Course, as well co-author of Beer Pairing (Voyageur Press). She is a life-long homebrewer, BJCP beer judge and Certified Cicerone. Despite her extensive experience, she will always consider herself a beer beginner on an unending journey to learn more about craft beer. Julia based her nominations for Best New Brewery on the 2015 Great American Beer Festival award winners.

Julia Herz

Julia Herz is the Craft Beer Program Director for the Brewers Association, co-author of the free CraftBeer.com Beer & Food Course, as well co-author of Beer Pairing (Voyageur Press). She is a life-long homebrewer, BJCP beer judge and Certified Cicerone. Despite her extensive experience, she will always consider herself a beer beginner on an unending journey to learn more about craft beer. Julia based her nominations for Best New Brewery on the 2015 Great American Beer Festival award winners.

Jack Muldowney

Focusing on long-form editorial style content and aesthetic, The Hop Review aims to deliver the industry’s best stories–with an approachability to beer enthusiasts of all types. Since inception in 2012, THR has been fortunate to sit down with some of beer’s best brewers, shop owners, distributors and brand managers from Chicago, the Midwest and around the globe. As a co-founder of The Hop Review, Jack Muldowney has carried over his eye for the carefully-branded, from his full time career as a designer. He prefers beers of the 'pale' variety and credits Chicago for changing his perception as to what makes a great brew.

Jack Muldowney

Focusing on long-form editorial style content and aesthetic, The Hop Review aims to deliver the industry’s best stories–with an approachability to beer enthusiasts of all types. Since inception in 2012, THR has been fortunate to sit down with some of beer’s best brewers, shop owners, distributors and brand managers from Chicago, the Midwest and around the globe. As a co-founder of The Hop Review, Jack Muldowney has carried over his eye for the carefully-branded, from his full time career as a designer. He prefers beers of the 'pale' variety and credits Chicago for changing his perception as to what makes a great brew.

Ale Sharpton

Originally from New York and a Cornell University alumnus, Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is an entrepreneur, award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and beer expert who has worked with various publications and websites for the past 20 years. Listing sources, Dennis aka Ale has contributed to FirstWeFeast.com, Beer Advocate, Ebony, Jezebel, Upscale, JET, Men's Book, Uptown, WHERE Magazine and Atlanta Eats TV in his growing portfolio.
Relating to what he assuredly terms “the greatest beverage in the world,” Ale is a globetrotting beer authority, blogger of the acclaimed site AleSharpton.com, and produces his own beer show on the Web–Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’.
Although he consistently feeds his passion to discover the world, Dennis aka Ale proudly claims Atlanta, Georgia his home.
You can follow Ale on his website, Twitter (@alesharpton); and Instagram (@realalesharpton).

Ale Sharpton

Originally from New York and a Cornell University alumnus, Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is an entrepreneur, award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and beer expert who has worked with various publications and websites for the past 20 years. Listing sources, Dennis aka Ale has contributed to FirstWeFeast.com, Beer Advocate, Ebony, Jezebel, Upscale, JET, Men's Book, Uptown, WHERE Magazine and Atlanta Eats TV in his growing portfolio.
Relating to what he assuredly terms “the greatest beverage in the world,” Ale is a globetrotting beer authority, blogger of the acclaimed site AleSharpton.com, and produces his own beer show on the Web–Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’.
Although he consistently feeds his passion to discover the world, Dennis aka Ale proudly claims Atlanta, Georgia his home.
You can follow Ale on his website, Twitter (@alesharpton); and Instagram (@realalesharpton).